Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-06-09
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Her PmxAmeur.
puuApxtsurA. june S.--Robert 9. |
Hail. AIRED 81 years, shot and killed Mrs.
MILAN Rivers aged 80 years about
o'clock this morning ct No. S3d North
Tenth street where the couple were living
az man aud wife under the name OF
Burton. Mrs. Rivers was the wife OF
James W. Rivers, an actor known 70 tho
profession as James Reynolds.
A remarkable coincidence with the
present tragedy was the attempt Of Rivers
to take Mrs. Rivers life in April 18th for
keeping company with the man Hall who
-iiay succeeded In doing what Rivers
had attempted two months ago. On the
date mentioned Rivers shot at his wife,
but inflicted only slight wound in the
hin. He then shot himself In the head
| and breast, and lay in the
hospital for several weeks, but aubse-
uuently recovered and with his son and
daughter he left yesterday for Topeka,
| Kansas. Hall IL a poet and actor, but had
| not been very successful in either OF
those professions. He and Mira. Rivers
| have been intimate for some time, but the
lady with whom they boarded says they
have been lately quarreling great deal.
| Last night, after quarrel, Mrs. Rivers
\ left the house and remained all night
| with an acquaintance on Eleventh street.
EARLY this morning abe had warrant
| issued for Halls arrest charging him with
| assault and battery. Before the warrant
was served, however, she visited Hall in
| his room and the landlady q few
moments later heard pistol shot In
the room. A policeman was called and
on going to the room Mrs. Rivers
was found dead with two bullet
holes in her head, and her throat cut
from ear to ear. Hall was lying on the
floor unconscious, he having cut his
throat with razor. He was removed TO
the German hospital, and 1t Is
thought his injuries will not prove
! fatal. Several lsitera written by Hall
were found in the room, the contents
OF which showed that the deed
was premeditated. A sealed letter was
addressed 10 James Rivers, Topeka, Kan
sas, and another which was unsealed was
directed to Halls father, John M. p.
Hall, 1927 Morgan street, st. Louis. II
was dated May 18th, and informed his
father that by the time the letter reached
him his lifo would have been ended by
his own hand.
Robert G. Hall, who murdered his
reputed wife on Friday and Afterward
cut his own throat, is ut the German
Hospital Philadelphia in q dangerous
condition. He fears that he Is going to
recover, and on Saturday night made 9
desperate attempt TO tear the bandagei
from his wound. He partially succeeded
before he could be secured by th,
policeman, who keeps constant watcl
over him. While the doctor was rebind
ing his wound he raved wildly, anC
swore he would remember all who wef
trying to save his life, and shoot then
like dogs II he ever recovered strength
LET me CO." he yelled; 'why can't yo1
let me die now2 You are only savinI
me to have the satisfaction of hangin
mo. II will be q sorry day for you all
do get well and get out of here, for
will kill you all. want 10 die, and 20
, wont let me. You wont have chance
to hang me, for I'll kill myself in spit
of YOU" To prevent him from dom
himself further injury, he was boun
j hand and foot TO the cot.